Thousands Of New Mums 'Forced' From Jobs

A Labour MSP Is calling on the UK Government to scrap tribunal fees.

It is in response to a report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission on attitudes to pregnancy in the workplace, which suggests 54,000 new mothers have been forced from their jobs.

One in 20 felt they were pressured to hand in their notice, while one in 10 were discouraged by their employer from attending antenatal appointments. 

One in 5 women also say they experienced harassment or negative comments from colleagues or managers upon falling pregnant. Siobhan McMahon, Scottish Labour Spokesperson for Women’s and Youth Employment said:
 
"These are truly shocking findings. Labour established laws to protect women in the workplace from being pushed out because they are pregnant or take maternity leave but this Tory Government has made it harder for women who suffer discrimination to seek redress. Scottish Labour tabled amendments to the Scotland Bill to kick-start the process of abolishing tribunal fees in Scotland. Sadly neither the Tories nor the SNP would support our amendments but we will push them again at future stages of the Bill.
 
"Since the introduction of tribunal fees, claims of maternity discrimination have fallen by over 70 per cent. It's time to look at how we can strengthen the law and scrap tribunal fees so cost is never a barrier to justice."

Caroline Waters, Deputy Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: "This research reveals the worrying levels of discrimination and disadvantage at work that women still face today. Not only is discrimination unlawful, but it is also bad for business. That’s why today we’re launching a major initiative to bring this issue into the public eye, improve awareness of the law and work with business and other groups to find workable solutions."